Hilo burglars caught in act 03-21-03

Hilo police caught three suspects in the act of burglary at a downtown Hilo shop earlier this week.

Responding to a 3:30 a.m. burglary in progress call Wednesday (March 19, 2003), South Hilo Patrol officers arrived at Waianuenue Avenue and Keawe Street to see a male suspect fleeing the scene. Inside the business establishment, they found a second suspect who was arrested at the scene.

Officers learned the identity of two additional suspects and arrested them during a search of the downtown area.

The suspects, all of Hilo addresses, were identified as Frank J. Bates Jr., 32, Timothy P. Aguiar, 35, and Robert H. Correa, 51.

Bates and Aquiar were each charged Thursday with second-degree burglary and second-degree theft. They are being held on $4,000 bail each.

The third suspect, Correa, was released pending further investigation by Hilo Criminal Investigation Section detectives.

All items taken from the business establishment were recovered, police said.